Time and existence

So sorry I haven't blogged in so long. It's been a crazy 2 months. If you follow my FB then you know the following:

• Since my last entry in May, my daughter Adele graduated high school
• I was  able to spend a week in Destin with my husband and kids and some of their friends.
• I was put on medical leave from work.
• I found out that the tumor in my lung had shrunk but the tumor on my spine was growing.
• I was referred to MD Anderson and accepted to participate in a clinical trial and rec'd Spinal Stereotactic Radiosurgery on June 15th.
• I have been in severe pain (as expected) since that treatment, but am starting to feel somewhat better.
• I wont know if the treatment actually worked until Sept.
• While in Houston I had an amazing experience meeting John and Barbara Manousso and this is the story I most want to tell....

While at MD Anderson for my initial testing Mom and I were walking around the Main building and came to the Chapel. We went in and immediately I was drawn to a photo on the wall. As I was walking to it I called over to MOM, "Mom this is St Peter's Basilica, come see!" Now this may not be an unusual statement except I had never seen St Peter's and don't know how I would recognize it. I was drawn to the photo and immediately knew it was the confirmation I had been praying for. (I will include links to this website that discusses the photo). You see I was so afraid going to MD Anderson. I knew that if they could not remove the tumor that was twisting around my spine, that it would only be a matter of months before I became paralyzed from the waist down. The oncologist, Dr Zinner confirmed this at our first meeting. I prayed and prayed for a sign that I would not end up in a wheel chair at 42, just when I should be really starting to enjoy my life. The photo taken at the Basilica showed some people standing around and a man in a wheel chair. There was some ugly looking thing behind the man and behind him was a glowing white yet transparent figure of Jesus with a lamb across his shoulders. I recognized it instantly. I also knew in my heart that this was confirmation that I would not be like this man and that Jesus was with me. I began to fill with emotion as I pointed this out to my Mom. As we studied the photo we noticed some transparent angels as well were kneeling in the midst of the people. We both just thought it was a beautiful picture. My Mom then noticed next to it on the wall was a framed document explaining that it was donated by The Manousso's and was taken by John Manousso while in Italy. It hit me like a ton of bricks that it was an actual photograph. I used my phone to take a picture of his name so I could google more about him and see what I could learn. I was so excited, I just can't explain it.

Later that night I did google him and found a website that explained how the photo had been taken and how when it was developed looked totally different, showing the Angels, and Jesus and rays of light coming from the windows - all only visible in the photo and were not visible to the naked eye. I was then floored to learn that John was diagnosed with a rare incurable cancer exactly a year and a day after taking this photo. His life expectancy was only 3-5 years, and he is still here 17 years +. I was so taken by his story and so convinced that for whatever reason this photo was speaking to me I searched all over the website for a contact. I found an address and wanted to write to them just to say thank you for sharing. So when Mom went to bed, I sat by the light of the tv in our hotel room and at 1 am wrote a 6 page thank you letter to complete strangers. I felt so much better afterwards that I could not wait to mail it. The next morning I brought it up to the hotel front desk and said a prayer that it would get where it needed to be. I had included in the letter my face book info and cell number. The day after mailing it I rec'd a FB friend request from Barbara Manousso and was so thrilled. I told Mom and she was shocked. She asked what I had said in a 6 page letter to strangers. LOL, to be honest I am not sure. I probably rambled on and on. I know I told them how the photo touched me and how I had cancer as a teen and again now and what I was going through. I know I thanked them for sharing this beautiful photo with so many and how it made such a difference in my life. What else was in there, I really am not sure, but whatever it was, it was from the heart and clearly had to be said. I accepted Mrs. Barbara's friend request and to my surprise she asked if they could possibly meet me and Mom. I was so happy. I couldn't believe they would take time out of their busy schedule to meet us. The next evening they came and met us in the lobby of our hotel. I can't explain it, but for me it was like seeing family you haven't seen in years. So familiar and warm. My heart was full of love. As we sat and talked and they told us out loud of their story they presented me with a copy of the photo to frame along with the story, and gave me and Mom each a wallet size photo as well. Mr John then went on to tell me about his Uncle who was best friends with Padre Pio, who is now known as Saint Pio. He gave me a prayer card of Saint Pio with a piece of his robe's cloth attached. Again a sign for me, as I first learned of Padre Pio in school and prayed to him when I had cancer as a teen. Now I was speaking to someone who's family knew him and was close to him. If you don't know of Saint Pio you will find his story one of the most intriguing in Catholic history (  http://www.padrepiodevotions.org/  ). I felt as though I was certainly meant to meet this beautiful and blessed couple. I wish we could have spent more time together. As they were leaving I hugged Mr John and some of what he told me I will keep to myself, but one thing he reminded me of is that "God hears our prayers before the thoughts are fully formed, he knows our needs and hears everything. Stay strong and think positive always and he will never abandon you." I can't explain the peace and joy that meeting brought to me and Mom. I have only one regret - we both forgot with the camera in hand to get a photo with them! I will always cherish that moment with them, and know that I can see them whenever I am in Houston if they have the time. You can go to this website and use the links at the top of the page to read the actual story of the photo and of John's illness. You can also order your own copy of the photo, which some say have healed them and was designated by the Vatican as a Miraculous photo of Jesus Christ. Copies of the photo are only $10 I believe www.manousso.net 

From my heart I tell you this - everything is for a reason. I recognized that photo which I had never seen before for a reason. I googled the name of the photographer even though I had read the story, for a reason. I wrote to them for a reason. They responded and came to meet me for a reason. GOD is that reason, and I can't think of a better one, can you?  Listen to the little whispers in your mind and act on them - I know it is God speaking.

With love always,

Ellen

P.S.

On our second trip back to Houston to have my procedure done we had a free day. We traveled about 30 minutes north to visit the National Funeral Museum. After all this is what Wayne does for a living and because it held the Pope's funeral car and past President's funeral cars and history I thought it would be interesting to see. In the gift shop they had some religious bracelets. As I picked one up I couldn't believe who was on it....Saint Pio! Now I haven't seen one bracelet with his photo in all these months. And I have seen many religious bracelets. I couldn't believe that he was the only Saint in the store. All the other photos on the bracelet are of our Holy Mother and Jesus with 2 separate photos of Saint Pio. Naturally, I bought one for me and for MOM, after all I found them for a reason.....

My Mother

The other night at Relay I was asked to speak during the Fight Back ceremony. During that speech I made the comment that when I hear the term cancer victim, I think of death. When I hear cancer patient, I think of someone who is sick and weak. I prefer to be called a Cancer Warrior and choose to fight like one because it's the only way to win this battle. I acknowledged that when I was diagnosed at age 15 with Hodgkin's it wasn't really my diagnosis. It was my Mom's. She was more affected by the cancer than I was. I know that seems strange to some people, but it's true. I hardly remember the experience of it, but she can tell you things in such great detail and with tears in her eyes still to  this day 25 years later. It would have been fine with me to miss school and stay home, but Mom never allowed it. Once I was physically healed from the surgeries, it was back to school for me. I remember the countless hours she spent on the phone researching doctors, trying to find out as much as possible about treatment (you have to remember we didn't have computers yet and google wasn't even a name). mom never allowed me to feel sorry for myself. She treated me like a 15 year old, not a 15 year old with cancer. It wasn't becausee she didn't love me, or didn't feel sorry for me. In fact that's exactly why she treated me the way she did. She knew that by keeping me active, in school, and with my friends that I wouldn't have time to be depressed or miss out on things. She knew if I stayed in the bed that I would eventually begin to think like I was sick and would fill with worry. Mom made me a cancer warrior and she promised me then that I was going to be just fine. She was so right. Now that I am a grown woman with my own kids. I finally 'get it". Back then I didn't have any responsibilities. No bills, no job. Now, I can see how much of a burden financially and emotionally this cancer can be. I try and protect my children from all of the negative stuff. They don't need to know everything. I even try and protect Mom as much as possible, but she usually sees right through me. She is still there for me and encouraging me to get up and walk around when I've been in bed for 3 days. Before my first treatment she insisted that she get me a recliner so I wouldn't be in bed all the time. She gives me pep talks and tells me that she just knows that I am being healed. Once again showing me that to fight is to win. I honestly don't know what I would do without her right now. She is such an incredible force in my life. I have never respected anyone more. No matter what I do in my own life, I try to make her proud. I am proud of her and I know that it's hard this time around for her because she has to share me with Wayne and the kids and sometimes even my friends. If it were possible she would be with me 24/7 and I appreciate that so much. She knows I am not her little girl anymore and I can't crawl up in her lap so she can rock me back and forth and tell me it's gonna be alright. But, a few weeks ago she came over because she knew I was not feeling well and my back was hurting. She and Pop surprised me, and as soon as she walked in I made her sit on the sofa and I laid across her lap so she could rub my back. Her hands immediately went to where I was in pain and she began to ease it with just her touch. I know she was so happy at that moment because it was a confirmation that I still need her and I do. Mother's Day is this coming Sunday and we will have the families over to cook and hang out. She loves when we can all be together, even though it sometimes drives me crazy. But I do it for her, to see her smile and enjoy her day means the world to me.

Those who are lucky enough to have their Mom still with them should really take a long look atyour relationship. So many of my friends don't share th esame type of relationship with their Mother's and I am saddened by this. We should talk to our Mom everyday, and we should say I love you. But mostly thank them, not just on Mother's Day but always thank them for loving us. Those of us who are Mother's know, there is no love greater than the love of a Mother for her child. I know that if she were able to she would gladly trade places with me instantly. I know that the moment Doc said cancer, she asked God to take it our of my body and put it in hers. That is true love. I would do the same for my child, just like you would, but to know I am loved that much by her just makes me feel so blessed. I am who I am today because of her love, and I am fighting every daybecasue she wouldn't have it any other way. MOM - I love you and thank you for being there for me. Always your little girl - Ellen

A recap before the PET Scan May 4th

Well once again I had to make myself log in and catch up on this blog. I am sorry-I just get so busy and sometimes forget to slow down a bit. I am not going to try and fill you in on every little thing that's happened since I last wrote, but I will let everyone know that I finished my last treatment and although we had a few problems it's now in the past. I will be seeing Doctor Hottie tomorrow afternoon and on Thursday I have my Pet Scan. I am nervous and excited and just ready to start the next chapter of this story. As soon as I have results I will post them on FB, until then I know everyone is praying, and I so appreciate it!

It's funy how life takes turns when you least expect them, just like with being diagnosed. I never imagined going to the doctor for what I thought was a pulled back or kidney stone would have ended up being lung cancer. Talk about a sharp curve huh?! Well the ride thus far has been pretty uneventful. I guess I almost sounded disappointed just now didn't I? I don't mean to that's for sure. I have had my moments, I just choose not to whine about them and pull everyone down with me and I usually get over it quickly. I would have to say that 95% of my time doing the chemo and running back and forth for shots and blood work has been pretty good. I tolerated the chemo better than anyone ever expected. For that I am really grateful. I have to say my medical team is amazing. Any questions I had my chemo nurses would answer honestly and in great detail. They have alwasy mad eme feel special and truly care about me and what is going on. I think that makes so much difference. I never felt like I was just another cancer patient. We have all laughed and even shed a few tears. I think what they do is extremely difficult, not every patient is as good as I am or is doing as well as I am. I am just thankful that God led me to their care. And now the BIG STUFF is over and we do the test this week that will determine our next route. I have no idea what type of maintenance treatment I will be on, but whatever it is the side effects shuldn't even bother me, or at least that is what I am praying for.

So as I sit and wait for direction on my health - I have kept very busy not even thinking of my health lol. Adele is graduating in just a week or so, Wayne is starting to campaign for Coroner, I am still working (also thankful for that). And I have had some things fall into my lap in th epast 2 weeks that I am hoping will pan out. One is Elliot Bowser a friend of mine has offered to partner up with me to design my own line of metal sculptures (see my FB for details). I have fallen creatively in love with this project and we are hoping to do really well with it. The other I can't mention yet, but it will involve some Public Speaking, something I have always dreamed of doing. I am constantly being told that I carry to muchon my plate. And I know that I sometimes do. But, when you ask God to give you what you can handle and stuff just keeps popping up, you kinda have to trust that he knows what he is doing. I said the road was crazy and the curves were sharp, I never said I was the one driving!

So with that being said - I ask eveyone to keep me in their prayers this week and always. I need to get great results from this scan, be assigned the best maintenance program that I can handle. I will keep you all posted!

Love - Ellen

My personal assistant - GOD

I have so much going on I sometimes feel a little lost in it all. I like to stay busy, always have, but, it seems like Gods plan for me is really starting to take over now. I don't mind, really I don't, but it amazes me how GOD has intentionally brought me one person after the other in perfect timing, almost as if they each had a scheduled appointment. I was talking to a friend the other day and she made a comment about me going and going and going non stop. She said, "Ellen how do you do it? How on earth do you deal with everything you are going through and still have time to work and on top of that do all the stuff you do?" I automatically answered her without even thinking about it, "Since January, God has kept me so busy praying and worrying about so many people -I don't have time to worry about me, but that's the thing, I'm not supposed to. I gave all of my illness and worry and fear to God when I got diagnosed. It's his place to take care of me. He obviously would rather me help others and since he seems to be my personal assistant he is keeping me busy as he sees fit." It's funny because as fast as I spit out those words, I busted out laughing - GOD my personal assistant! I could picture for a moment me in this great big beautiful office with a corner view of course, great big desk and all. And my personal assistant seated at a table, white robe and all going over my day planner. Can you imagine? LOL....

The best part of everything is that just when you least expect another great surprise there it is. We all know the old saying, "God works in mysterious ways", well lately he has really been focused on me. Everything that God schedules to take place in my life seems to involve Fr Seelos. Every time I turn around, he "God" has another gift for me. For example, if you go back to the first or second post I ever wrote here I tell the story of my first treatment. On the way I got a text from Mom. she was not happy she couldn't be with me for the treatment and t comfort me she sent a text that read something along the lines of , don't worry, i love you - I am with you, Fr Seelos is holding your right hand and I am holding your left. well when I arrived for treatment and went to sit down at a seat i didn't want to sit in, there on the table to my right was a prayer card of Fr Seelos. Well my chemo nurse SUSAN was there. I remember showing her the text and i remember how emotional i was. I don't remember really what her reaction was though. Anyway, Susan is amazing. She and I clicked the moment we met. I never knew what it was, but i knew I liked being with her. I feel safe I guess when she is there for my treatments. So back to "mysterious ways". Susan has been with me since the beginning of my diagnosis. She is a great support system and I have emailed her on several occasions with questions late at night. Well after all these months, 6 full treatments and all the visits, this week she and I had a chance to talk when I went in for one of my shots. She asked about my staph infection and I showed her it was all clear. Then I showed her two rashes that I have. I explained that I thought it may be a chemical reaction to metal. One rash is where the safety pin is for my Fr Seelos scapular (pinned to my bra) and the other is on my stomach by my belly button where my button for my jeans rubs. She agreed and said it sounded like it made sense, and then grabbed my arm and asked who was on my bracelet. (I have worn this black bracelet since January, it never comes off) I said, "oh that is my Fr Seelos" and before I could say anything else she began to tell me how much she loved Fr Seeolos and how she came to know of him and she went on and on. Well, my mouth just kinda flopped open in awe. here I was again, experiencing someone that I absolutely adored, and admired, talk about Fr Seelos. I interrupted her and said, "are you kidding me? all this time, all these months and now you mention him? I can't believe as much as I talk about him here, you never told me you knew who he was or that you loved him so much?" Susan looked right back at me and said, "I had no idea you did." My response back - "well I am so happy, this is just amazing cause I knew there was a reason I felt so close to you and I think it may be because of him." We hugged and laughed about it and by the end of our conversation I invited her along and we had made plans on attending the upcoming Fr Seelos healing mass in May. I could not wait to share other things with her about my healing. And I did. We visited for at least 45 minutes and i loved every minute of it. Susan is a special woman, and the day I met her I knew that. I am so blessed to have her in my life, not only as a nurse and caregiver, but as  friend and now a sister who shares with me a love for Fr Seelos.

Also, this past week a new friend came into my life. She sent me a friend request on FB and I accepted not really paying much mind to if I knew her or not. Then she sent me a private message saying that she didn't know me, but had heard my story (gee now I had a "story") I was almost afraid to ask about that, then she told me her own story and our friendship began. I wont go onto great detail right now, its not time yet. But I will say this, thru writing each other back and forth (she was just diagnosed with cancer in January) I felt that the only thing that could possibly turn her away from me would be how much I talk about my faith. From some of her writings, I had a feeling that we were at different places in our lives when it came to faith, God and other spiritual things. I didn't mind at all, but I was afraid of 'offending her".  Over two or three nights we sent each other notes and got to know each others stories and come to find out share a few friends - even from childhood. I was glad to see this because I was trying to find something that would make her a little more open to me and what I wanted her to start doing. This past week much of her writings were not pleasant. To be extremely honest, she was just down right pissed off about her whole situation. Last night I prayed for her because it really bothered me that she was 4 months into her cancer and was still 'pissed". I Prayed that God and fr Seelos would soften her heart so that it would be open to the love all around her. I prayed she would be able to let go of the anger and just 'let God" do what he had to do for her. I actually told her something along that line in a private message. I think what i said was - at least we have the option of receiving chemo. As evil "she had referred to chemo as being evil" as the chemo is - it's part of her healing and bottom line is not everyone with Cancer gets that option to be healed. Well tonight when I signed on, I saw her status and when I read it, I cried. I knew my prayers from last night were answered. There is no more pity party cancer victim - I dont know what changed her mind, what she saw, heard or felt to change it. But I know that the girl who posted tonight is not the person who posted the night before. she is strong and beautiful and loved. And I also know this. God is keeping me busy, Fr Seelos has had his own workload increase because of me referring people to him everyday. I am glad to be doing this. I am blessed to have been chosen to do it. If God and Fr Seelos want me to share whats in my heart and share my experiences with others in order for them to to do better with their own illnesses and experiences, then his will be done. As far as I am concerned, I hope and pray that I have this job for the rest of my life and that as long as I do - God is my personal assistant never leaving my side.

Before I go for the night I need to share this as well:

• Janell is done with chemo and is cancer free - her benefit is tomorrow night and I cant wait to have a great time with her as we celebrate her life!
• My friend Merri Lee, she is half way through her treatments now and doc told her that by the time she does her last one in JUNE she will be cancer free! Amen
• My friend Gwyn is doing well with her treatments. She is a great woman that I just adore. she still has a long road with treatment, but after seeing doctors at MD Anderson who agreed that the treatments are what they would have done, they also told her that after running all the tests, she is cancer free. Another AMEN
• Austin Fath - the young man who suffered the brain injury and walked out of the hospital in 6 weeks astounding all of us needs you to keep him in your prayers once more. He is scheduled for surgery to repair the part of the skull that was removed to stop the swelling of his brain. Surgery is April 5th.
• Katie Branson - the little girl who has been in the hospital for months after a sudden collapse a home  is still in need of our prayers. She has made some improvement but also has had some setbacks. Her mother Michelle is one of the most special people that I have ever met. Well we haven't met except for face book, but reading her posts and notes everyday just makes me want to be a better Mother and a better Christian. She is phenomenal. Please pray for her continued strength.

Love Ellen

some NYC moments

March 14-19th Whirlwind of a week

Click this video - it is a tribute to m from my friend Sabrina's son, I have only met him once 4 yeras ago and he did this for me. They live in Canada.

This was the worse and best week of my life all at once. I do have staph, in fact its the worse kind MRSA. When people who are undergoing chemo and have low immune systems get this type of staph it takes so much longer to heal, and can be life threatening.  Of course I had it lanced and taken care of on that Monday 3/14 but we now have to put off the final chemo treatment until I am healed. At the time we were thinking 2 weeks. Now since we know it's MRSA it could be more like 4-6 weeks of healing. Where its located on my arm is not the easiest place for me to reach so I have had to ask JOE JOE, WAYNE AND EVEN MALLORY (WHO WORKS WITH ME) TO HELP CLEAN THE OPEN WOUND. I know its not fun and was pretty gross in the beginning, but not one of them hesitated to help me, not one of them complained, not one of them made gross sounds or gagged or made me feel bad because of it. I love them for that!  Then after being out work for a week of course I had to play catch up and wouldn't you know Alexis would end up sick too with a UTI. What else could possibly happen this week to shake u my world? I was just happy to know that on Friday 3/18 I was going with Tammy right after work to Moms so that her friend Danicka could pray over me and pray with us for my healing. I was looking forward to the clock hitting 5 pm.

So Friday finally arrived and Tammy and I pulled out of my office as soon as Wayne dropped her off. I think it took 25 minutes to get to Moms. We go upstairs and I am expecting to be greeted by this pretty girl who prays for people and instead Mom comes to the door alone. I ask where she is and am told she was in the restroom. So I begin to say something to my Mom and I used a small curse word. Immediately My Mom gets on me for that when Danicka is there about to pray with me. As I am being fussed at (yes I am over 40 and still get in trouble with my Mom) I walkover to my Mom's picture window which overlooks the canal in her back yard and her neighbors yard. I was staring at her neighbors house and realized I heard the bathroom door in the hall open and as I turned around expecting to see Danicka - I couldn't believe who was there - SABRINA! to write this experience does it no justice whatsoever. If she has uploaded the video I will post it here. I was in complete shock!!! I cried, I laughed, I cried some more. We hugged and hugged and I still could not believe it. Here was one of my very best girlfriends from high school, standing in my moms living room. The last time Bri and I were together was after katrina when her family came down to NOLA to visit some family. I was so happy she came and saw me - it had been since we graduated the last time before that. And now here she was, here for me when I need her most. She told her husband she really wanted to come down and he told her to go. She is braver than I am. She flew from toronto all by herself and rented a car and drove all around NOLA and the westbank lol.... she is amazing. My Mom and sister and another high school friend, Jennifer helped Sabrina pull it off and believe me I am not easy to fool or surprise. they got me for sure! Although i had a brief premonition that Jennifer was going to come to the fundraiser dance on Saturday with Mark and Sabrina in tow, I mentioned it once and then forgot all about it.
We were able to spend a few hours together that night and it was so strange. It was as though we had just spent the past 25 years seeing each other every day! Time stood still for a moment and we were 17 again and BFF's (BTW - those of you in your teens - it was our generation who invented the term BFF lol). I just cant say enough about Bri - she is a huge part of my heart and we will always be sisters no matter how far apart and for how long we may be. I love her so much! So that night she hits me with another surprise, her son Brandon who is a phenomenal drum player and just a great kid made me a surprise. So we go pull up you tube (see attached) and of course we all cried again! I had to lose 5 lbs that night between losing water from the tears and snot from my nose---I tell ya! I just cant get over it - truly the most surprised I have ever been in my life.

Then the next night we had a funraiser dance at the Elks Lodge in Slidell. My In Laws hosted it along with the lodge and we had an incredible band Bobby Cure and the Summertime Blues in which my cousin just so happens to sing with. Bobby Cure has been friends with my parents for years and Robyn and I are just getting to know each other as cousins. She even let me sing with her and that was fun - I could be on stage every night! NOT____ She is a great woman, beautiful, caring, giving, voice of an angel, and just very beautiful inside and out. It was great seeing lots of friends and family there. y cousin George (I call him Uncle George - my moms first cousin) and his wife Aunt Celie were there and it was awesome to see and be with them. Aunt Ceilie believes in the power of prayer and angels and her and I know that God has me in his arms. All of wayne's Uncles and aunts were here, many I hadn't seen in10 or 15 years it seems. Lots of my parents friends and my zoo krewe club came as well. Of course Sabrina and Jennifer came and then as if I couldn't be any more surprised, who shows up???? 2 of the most dearest people in the world - Stephanie and Chris Kain. We all grew up together in Venetian Isles. Chris and his brother Darren were my age and they were like my big brothers. Stephanie was older by a few years and dated my uncle for a while. They all worked at one time or another at my grandparents rest., Barney's. We went to SJM elementary together and car pooled until we started driving ourselves.We shared some great childhood days together. Stephanie and I were so close that I asked her to be my sponsor for my Confirmation. I hadn't seen either of them in probably 18 or 19 years. They come from an amazing family and I was so touched that they came out to see me and my family, especially when they have their own stuff going on.

Bri about 30 minustes after the big surprise!



Tam, Bri and Mom - dirty dogs



Kelly (one of my Ellen's Angels, me and Bri - def one of my Angels




Chris kain, me and Stephanie




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Sabrina went to the Fr Seelos Shrine Saturday morning. She bought a bracelet just like mine and will never take it off. So happy she did that and experienced that church.

 
When I tell you its been a crazy crazy week and weekend. I have been up and down  crazy roller coaster of emotions. Like I aid I cant even make it sound good on paper - you really had to be with me to see how happy and loved I felt....
Here are the pictures snapped by Mom when the surprise unfolded!

SUPRISE!!!!!!!!!!

Oh My God! Oh My God! Oh My God!



Oh My God - thats all I could say!



If this face doesn't say I LOVE YOU MY DEAR FRIEND! Then a picture doent exist that says it!



WOW!



To NYC and home

All I can say is that spending a week in NYC with Alexis and some great girls and Moms - was an experience! the bus ride there was 26 hours but we survived and once we arrived it was like a new energy in my blood! The first evening there my friend Melanie and our girls causght a cab to Hoboken to go to Carlos' bakery - th eCake Boss TV show from TLC, to hopefully see Buddy but of course he was not there :( but we left some king cake and NOLA goodies for him anyway and hope he enjoyed it!

I wont go into details of each and everything we did cause I would have to write for days but the trip is one i will never forget. From the beautiful Cathedrals, to the 911 site to Wall Street to theStatue of Liberty and even SOHO. Everywhere we went was filled with mystery and beauty. People forget that NYC is more than movie stars and nightlife. There is so much history there. Its ashamed, as I was reminded of things I learned in grammar school social studies and civics, it amazed me why I wasnt interested in school. Maybe it s because I have a better appreciation of history now that I have lived my own 40+ years. I want to take Wayne back and Joe Joe. I know they would both be in awe.

I was lucky to have Jina and Melanie and some other great parents with me. They made sure I was feeling ok and was eating. They took really good care of me. My friend Sue who lives in NYC was able to meet us and took us on a walking tour to chinatown. It was great seeing her again. She is a living angel and just does good things for people without batting an eye. If you read this Sue THANK YOU we all enjoyed your company and agree if we come to NYC again, we are hiring you as our tour guide!


Coming home was lot faster - only 22 hours for some reason. I was just glad I slept the whole way. I developed a sore on my arm during th eweek. One of the Mom's a nurse said it looked like staph. o me it looked like a hard red bump that started offas a pimple. All I knew is that it hurt and was ready to get home so I could do my last treatment on that Monday 3/14. Little did I know......